The Texas Joe Black Cup Matches is annually the most anticipated competitive event in the Northern and Southern Texas Sections. This fiercely contested rivalry between two sister sections is marked by close matches, dramatic shots, uncompromising sportsmanship, and friendships that last lifetimes. The Ryder Cup style format features 12 golf professionals from each Section competing in Foursome and Four-Ball Matches the first day followed by Singles Matches the final day. The Matches are currently tied with a 16-16-1 overall record.

Established in 1981, the Texas Joe Black Cup Matches were created to honor Snyder native Joe Black who was completing his first term as President of the PGA of America.

Joe Black was a standout at Hardin Simmons University and played briefly on the PGA TOUR. He first began to make a name for himself in the golf industry and with the best players in the world while running the PGA TOUR in the early 1960s. In 1964, Mr. Black began working as the PGA Head Professional at Brookhaven C.C. in Dallas. He served as the Northern Texas PGA President from 1971-72.

During Mr. Black’s term as PGA of America President in 1981-82 and for many years after, he was one of the key figures in discussions and negotiations with the PGA TOUR. His early influence and relationships with the PGA TOUR and its players enabled him to play a vital role in the relationship between the TOUR and PGA of America. In 1985, Mr. Black moved to Scottsdale, Arizona to become a partner in Western Golf Properties and recently returned to Texas and resides outside of Austin at Spanish Oaks Golf Club.

Northern Texas PGA Captain - Philip Bleakney, Director of Golf at The Golf Club of Dallas

Northern Texas PGA Vice Captains - Ronny Glanton and Mark Viskozki

Southern Texas PGA Captain - Glenn Lee, General Manager at Escondido Golf and Lake Club

Southern Texas PGA Vice Captains - Marc DeWall and Dale Morgan

TEAM SELECTION:
Texas Joe Black Cup Matches – 12 players per team

Each team will be comprised of the following professionals:

1. The top nine (9) A-1, A-4 or A-13 professionals on each Section's Player of the Year Points Standings following the Section Championship.

2. The top senior professional on the Senior Joe Black Cup points list regardless of classification following the Section Championship.

3. One (1) captain's selection of a A-1, A-4 or A-13 professional.

4. The current President from each Section.

MATCH PLAY:
All games are played under Match Play rules, where the result of each game is determined by the number of holes won. The order of play for the first day is Four-Ball in the morning and Foursomes in the afternoon. The final day's play will be in Singles format.

FOUR-BALL (six groups of two two-man teams):
"Fourball" play is a match in which each member of the two-man teams plays their own ball. Four balls are in play per hole with each of the four players competing. The team whose player has the lowest score on that hole wins the hole. Should players from each team tie for the best score, the hole is halved.

FOURSOMES (six groups of two two-man teams):
"Foursomes" play is a match where two golfers play together against two other golfers and each team plays one ball. The golfers play alternate shots (player A hits tee shot, player B hits second shot, etc) until the hole is played out. Team members alternate playing the tee shots, with one golfer hitting the tee shot on odd-numbered holes, and the other hitting the tee shot on the even-numbered holes. The team with the better score wins the hole. Should the two teams tie for best score, the hole is halved.

SINGLES (12 groups of two one-man teams):
"Singles" is a match in which one player competes against another player. A player wins the match when he is up by more holes than there are holes remaining to play.

PAIRINGS:
Each Team Captain independently submits the order of play for his Team to the appointed tournament official at a specified time. The lists from each Captain are matched, resulting in the "Pairings".

POINTS:
Each match will be worth one (1) point. Halves will be worth half a point (½) for each team. The team that accumulates the most points at the completion of the Matches will be declared the victorious team for the year and will have their name engraved on the Joe Black Cup. If the Matches are halved, the previous year’s champion team will retain the Cup (Southern Texas PGA). Twelve points is needed to retain the cup and 12 1/2 points is needed to win the cup.

Patrick Buhrmann - 5th appearance
PGA Head Professional, Abilene Country Club

Cameron Doan - 14th appearance
PGA Head Professional, Preston Trail Golf Club

Paul Earnest - 6th appearance (NTPGA team)
PGA Director of Golf, Four Seasons Resort and Club

Clayton Friend - 2nd appearance
PGA Director of Golf, Diamond Oaks Country Club

Kevin Golding - 2nd appearance
PGA Head Professional, Four Seasons Resort and Club

Billy Harris - 11th appearance
PGA Head Professional, Dallas Country Club

Jason Hase - 4th appearance
PGA Director of Golf, San Angelo Country Club

Adam Headley - 2nd appearance
PGA Head Professional, Hillcrest Country Club

Dean Larsson - 2nd appearance
PGA Head Professional, Royal Oaks Country Club

Brent Lingel - 1st appearance
PGA Head Professional, Keeton Park Golf Course

John Sikes - 4th appearance
PGA Director of Golf, Hollytree Country Club

Judd Whiteman - 2nd appearance
PGA Head Professional, Dallas National Golf Club

Jason Alexander - 2nd appearance
PGA Head Professional, The Club at Carlton Woods

David Altemus - 2nd appearance
PGA General Manager, Royal Oaks Country Club

Rick Arnett - 11th appearance
PGA Head Professional, Great Hills Country Club

Eric Bogar - 1st appearance
PGA Head Professional, Sugar Creek Country Club

James Brown - 4th appearance
PGA Head Professional, Riverbend Country Club

Darrell Fuston - 4th appearance
PGA Director of Golf, Kingwood Country Club

Brad Lardon - 8th appearance
PGA Director of Golf, Miramont Country Club

Joe Mitchell - 1st appearance
PGA Head Professional, Victoria Country Club

Ryan Polzin - 4th appearance
PGA Head Professional, Royal Oaks Country Club

Troy Schleicher - 5th appearance
PGA Teaching Professional, Woodforest Golf Club

Wes Skaggs - 9th appearance
PGA Head Professional, Crystal Falls Golf Course

David von Hoffman - 3rd appearance
PGA Director of Golf, Spanish Oaks Golf Club